Lari Cherry PGI

The Lari cherry is a typical fruit that originates in the countryside surrounding Pisa; thanks to its sweet flavour and unique organoleptic characteristics, this cherry is loved and well-known throughout Tuscany. It is the main protagonist of a great festival held every year in the town of Lari. In 2023, it obtained PGI status.

Product Description

The «Ciliegia di Lari» Protected Geographical Indication designates the fruit of the sweet cherry tree Prunus avium L., a member of the Rosaceae family, belonging to a broad range of varieties, with pulp ranging from not very firm to firm and crunchy. The skin is bright red to dark red, and several local cultivars enrich the selection and characterise this fruit even further, as indicated below:

Adriana, Big star, Bigarreau Moreau, Bigarreau Burlat, Bigarreau Napoleon, Black star, Celeste, Durone di Vignola, Early bigi, Early Korvik, Early star, Folfer, Ferrovia, Giorgia, Grace star, Isabella, Kordia, Kossara, Lala star, Lapins, Lory strong, New star, Prime Giant, Regina, Rita, Rocket, Sabrina, Samba, Sandra, Sylvia, SMS 280, Stella, Summer charm, Sunburst, Sweet Early, Sweet Heart, Van, Vera, Frisco, Royal Helen, Red Pacific, Nimba, Marysa, Durone Giallo, Bella di Pistoia and Durone Nero I.

Native and traditional cultivars: Crognolo, Cuore, Del Paretaio, Di Giardino, Di Nello, Di Guglielmo, Gambolungo, Marchiana, Morella, Papalina, Orlando, Precoce di Cevoli, Siso, and Usigliano.

Historical background

The PGI Lari Cherry has a very ancient history. Some documents testify to the presence of this fruit as early as the 16th century. In the area, which is home to many fig trees, walnuts, chestnuts and hazelnuts, the first cherry fruit trees were planted. In the 18th and 19th centuries, the Lari cherry, appreciated by wholesalers and consumers alike for its flavour and the fact that it ripens earlier in the season, was also sold fresh at the market in the main neighbouring towns (from Livorno to Florence), increasing the income of farmers.
In the 20th century, after a period of ‘crisis’ for the product, the people of Lari took steps to organise an annual festival that began in 1957: the ‘Cherry Festival’, an event that still attracts many visitors today.
Unfortunately, since the last quarter of the 20th century, agriculture in this district has suffered a progressive decline for economic, environmental and cultural reasons, from which even fruit farming has not been spared.

Recipes and traditions

The Lari PGI cherry is excellent to eat as fresh fruit. Only a small percentage of cherries are used for processing and this mainly takes place within the household. In fact, some varieties, characterised by a high sugar content of the pulp and a very thin skin, are also suitable for making preserves and jams.
As already mentioned in the previous section, every year in June Lari hosts the “Sagra delle Ciliegie” (Cherry Festival), an event that is part of the local tradition and identity.